Helping children and young people maximise their potential

At Optimal Therapy Services (OTS) we are passionate about helping children reach their full potential through a child-centred, goal-oriented, and evidence-based approach. We work closely with parents, carers and teachers to ensure that each intervention is maximally effective, providing a strong, supportive network for every child.

From our practice in Muswell Hill, North London, we offer occupational therapy to children and young people to support development in:

Play and early learning skills
Sensory processing skills
Planning and organisational skills
Core and postural stability skills
Gross and fine motor skills
Handwriting skills
Visual perceptual skills
Problem solving and strategies
Concentration and attention

Services

We work with a wide range of children including those with Developmental Coordination Disorder, Sensory Processing Difficulties, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, ADHD, Down's Syndrome and Cerebral Palsy. However, many of the children we work with have no diagnosis. We work with each child as a unique individual looking at their specific needs.

Assessments

An assessment teases out both functional difficulties and the foundations for those difficulties. We carry out assessments on children as young as a few months old up to secondary school age. Assessment takes about 2 hours of direct work as well as liaison with parents and school through questionnaires or consultation, after which a detailed report is sent to the parent. If necessary a detailed assessment can form part of an application for an Educational Health Care Plan. Assessments typically take place in the OTS clinic base.

Treatment

Treatment can take many forms. Depending on the needs of the child as identified by the assessment, we develop an individual treatment plan which usually combines face-to-face OT sessions with a programme of home or school activities. OT intervention is most effective when integrated into everyday activities, so the exercises are designed to fit into the parent's and child's daily routine. Treatment sessions take place either in the OTS clinic room, school or the child's home.

Training

We are seeing many more children coming into nursery or school with subtle difficulties that can impact on their ability to access learning. We want teachers and support staff to be to be able to identify their needs and fully support them.

We have created and run a variety of training programmes that develop knowledge, understanding and practical solutions for children with difficulties such as sensory processing disorders, motor coordination difficulties and ADHD. Other training programmes support universal skills such as writing and early years preparation for school. Training is delivered to parents, teachers, SENDCos, teaching support staff and dyslexia and other specialist teachers in a variety of settings in many London boroughs and across the UK.

Mentoring

In addition to training, our mentoring schemes are one of the most effective way of supporting staff. They facilitate a deep understanding of difficulties, opportunity to develop assessment, intervention and evaluation to support children in the most effective way. These are modelled in real life settings giving both practice and theoretical understanding. This helps embed best practice. This mentoring model has been highly successful in nursery and pre-school settings as well as in primary schools.

Testimonials

"Parenting M has been a constant uphill struggle for years...a huge thank you for all your help so far. We feel like a functioning family which I’m so grateful for." CW

"Having worked with Kate as a teacher and SENCo, her classroom strategies are always practical and easy to implement and she works closely with all teaching staff ." MP

"Kate has provided comprehensive occupational therapy assessments for each of my three children and worked closely with us to implement recommendations." LC

"Thank you so much for all of the work that you have done with B, it has been incredibly helpful and meaningful for him. OT with you has been the most meaningful therapy he has had by a very long way and it has been incredibly important for B to know that you understand him and that you are his ally." JS

Team

Kate Hesketh

Director & Lead Occupational Therapist

As a Children’s Occupational Therapist with 30 years experience, Kate is passionate about helping children reach their full potential through a child-centred, goal-oriented, evidence-based approach. She works closely with parents, carers, and teachers to ensure that each intervention is maximally effective, providing a strong, supportive network for every child.

In addition to her hands-on work, she runs training sessions for teachers and carers. She also leads a small team of carefully selected associate OTs to deliver high-quality therapy services in clinic, schools, nurseries and family homes.

Duygu Gumus

Occupational Therapist

Duygu has been working with children with sensory processing difficulties, ADHD and Autism for 8 years. She has particular expertise in working with children who have sensory processing differences, ADHD, and autism. She uses fun, practical tools like movement games, drawing tasks, and handwriting activities to better understand each child's strengths and challenges. Her goal is always to help children feel confident, capable, and calm—both at school and at home.

Duygu is also trained in Occupational Performance Coaching, which helps families and schools work together to support each child’s progress.

Lisa Kaminer

Senior Occupational Therapist

Lisa's 15 years of paediatric occupational therapy experience has been sandwiched by a career break which has given her enriched professional perspective. She has been a clinical specialist and manager in the NHS and has worked in schools and private practice. Central to her approach is the belief that therapy should extend beyond the clinical setting and works closely with parents and teachers to ensure this happens. She believes that open communication, collaboration and problem solving are key to achieving the best outcomes for children.

Simon Hesketh

Practice Manager

Having run his own successful company for 25 years Simon is an experienced business manager.

Resources

Handwriting exercise books

Build children’s writing skills and develop their confidence in written communication with our highlighted writing books.

Many children come to OTS struggling with handwriting. Kate created these unique books so that children learn how to size and orientate letters appropriately. They feature a shaded band, the height of which is exactly half that of the distance between each line, encouraging children to keep lowercase letters within the band and uppercase letters within the two lines.

Children no longer have to cope with confusing lines in standard ‘handwriting books’. Our A4 books can be cut down to a traditional handwriting practice book size or used as an integrated handwriting and writing book. By better facilitating the integration of ‘best’ handwriting into everyday use, with each page, children develop essential writing skills while enjoying the satisfaction of seeing their progress in real-time.

We have two styles of book. Our Stage 1 book, has been designed specifically for children in Years 1 and 2. Our Stage 2 book has a narrower space between lines than the Stage 1 book and is designed for children in Years 2 and above.

“The highlighted writing books have been a lifesaver in the classroom for correcting and maintaining neat and well-presented handwriting." Harriet, Form 2, Tetherdown Primary School

"Using Kate's fantastic highlighted books has been revolutionary for the children who struggle with the mechanics and organisation of writing. Finally, something simple which can be implemented which has instant results and empowers children to be on a level playing field with their peers". Sinead, From 3, Norfolk House School

Normal exercise book